Automatically-discharging raft



July 5,1927. l

` G. W.-ROBERTS AUTOMATICALLY DISCHARGING RAFT iled Aug. 59 92e @y a @WM ZUr/wy Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,884,888 PATENT OFFICE- GEORGE W. ROBERTS, O F VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.VV

` AUTOMATICALLY-DISCHARGING RAFT.

Application led August 30, 1926, Serial No. 132,533, and in Canada .Tune 30, 1926.

Y 'This invention relates to towing rafts for thel transportation of large quantities of logs, cedar bolts and other varieties of timber, and more specifically to that type of raft which is capable of automatically discharging its load.

Its principal object is to provide a raft capable of holding a large cargo of timber but which shall avoid the very considerable expense of unloading the same which has -hitherto obtained, and in the process of un loading or discharging log rafts, which are frequently held together by expensive cables, it is frequently necessary to destroy Vthe latter in order to quickly release the cargo.

This difficulty is entirely eliminated bythe construction which I adopt.

In addition to the time and labour saving qualities which I secure, a further object has been the production of a raft whichis eX- ceedingly compact in form and dimensions as compared with the volume of load ccnveyed, and consequent upon this there follow the advantages which v accrue from its greater handiness and navigational control, also its freedom from the obstructions to navigation which usually characterize unwieldy rafts as frequently constructed.

In securing these objects in view I adopt a construction which consists of a dual framework of squared spars suitably braced together, the whole construction being divided longitudinally into two parts, which, although slightly interlocking, are readily separable into two distinct portions.

These two portions are so constructed as to 4have the tendency to separate immediately the locking device is released, this action precipitating the whole of the cargo into the water released and ready for disposal.

The construction and functions of my invention are better understood from the drawings herewith, which form part of this applicatioinand in which Fig. l isa plan of the raft; Fig. 2, a side elevation; Fig. 3, an end elevation; and Fig. 4, a detail of the securing and releasing device.

Taking thedrawings in detail Fig. l is Ya plan view of the raft showing the two longitudinal and separable portions interlocked about their longitudinal centre line, the two portions being almost identical.

A rectangular framework composed of longitudinal members 2 secured to transverse members t and vertical members 5 and further strengthened by the angular pieces 6 from one ofthe verticals and secured thereto'ra'nd there secured by a movable link.

Transverse members from the iioor of the i raft project at intervals sufficiently to engage the lower ylongitudinal spar of the adjacent opposite half of the raft, so that Yeach adjacent portion along the centre impinges and rests upon the otheras shown at 10.

The cargo of logs or the like is then laid upon the combined raft resting upon the cables 8 which are thus made taut and so brace the verticals against the load.

The load is then in a position for transportation, the whole structure being eifectively held together by the abuttal of the lower brace of the raft and tensile strength of the cables tightened by the weight of the cargo.

Then it from its load all that is necessary is to drive up the engaging link l1 whereupon the strain imposed on the cable by the weight of the cargo immediately turns over and disengages thelink hook l2, rendering each half of the raft separable, the angularity of the bracing spars 6 in conjunction with the weight of the cargo forcing the two longitudinal halves of the raft to float apart and free from the load. Thus the releasing of the load is effected without loss or damage to anyof the cables or connections and in the merest fraction of time usually taken.

It is to be noted that it may be necessary to secure the cargo of logs from possible longitudinal movement in a direction oppo-V site to that of the course of the raft.

This can be eiected in a number of ways, one method being as indicated in the drawing where at one end of each section avertical stanchion 13 is shown with a diagonal brace 14 secured thereto.

That I claim asrnewand tected in by Letter Patent, is:

l. A rectangular framework of spars, said framework being separable along its longitudinal centre line into two approximately similar portions, each of saidportions having is desired to disengage the raft desire to be protransverse members sloping downwardly :from the outside wall to the longitudinal Centre, the said outer Wall consisting ot' i1iterster-tineY vYertieal and horizontalmembers, rables at suitable inter 'als adapted to unite the two said separable portions, said cables seeured to top horizontal member ot said outer wall or one separable portion, said cables being' passed below the corresponding top` 'horizontal member oil. the other said eeparaljle portion, and means adapted to re leasably seenre the ends of said cable Ato the said w#erdieal members.

2. fr rectangular framework ol" spare, said :framework beingl separable alongl its longitudinal centre line into two approximately similar portions, ear-h ot said portions havingl transverre. members :slopingl down 'ardlj1 :trom the outside Wall to the longitudinal rentre, transverse members oit' said framework projectingn beyond the longitudinal rentre line ot' said iramenorlf, and adapted to overlap and bear upon the adjacent longitudinal member of the other said separable portion` and thus adapted to retain the two halves of `said 'framework in a common "plane SS. A rectangular framework of spare, said 'lfrarneworli being separable alongl its longi tndinal entre line into two approximately sim ila r portions, each ot said portions having transverse members Msloi'i'ng downwardly 'troni the outside wall to the longitudinal centre, the said outer wall consisting oi interseetii'ig vertical and liori'nontal me1nhere, cables at suitable intervals adapted to unite the two said separable portions, said tables secured to top horizontal member ot' said o eter Wall of one separable portion, said cables being` `passed below the corresponding top horizontal nielnber oi the other said separable portion, means adapted to releasably Secure the ende ol eaid cable to the said `\'ertieal niembers, said means including a pair ot linked eye bare, one of said bars being secured to one ot the vertical members ot said Atiameworl; and the other Said bar being adapl'tal to pase through an eye placed 'in the extremity ot said cable 'Forming a lever tulermned `within the eye ot the other @aid liar and secured thereto by a slid'able linli.

ln testimony whereof hlV aiiix `my eignatnre GEORGE W. ROBERTS. 

